by Steve Shaw

MIDFIELDER Anthony Griffith insists he feels right at home unleashing his defensive skills on centre stage for the Valiants.

The 22-year-old midfielder has been playing as a converted right-back since October's 2-1 home success over Morecambe.

Griffith admits his consistency levels have suffered as Vale have laboured in League Two, while the physical strain of embarking on his first full season in the professional ranks has taken its toll.

After suffering more than most during the dismal 2-0 at Accrington 10 days ago, Griffith feared the axe before last weekend's trip to Bradford.

Griffith admitted: "I didn't think I would play the Bradford game at right-back, so when the gaffer threw me in at central midfield I was amazed because we've got other players who can step in such as Adnan Ahmed and Scott Brown.

"But I repaid him by going out there and digging for him because he needs the results as much as us because we're trying to keep the manager in his job as much as we can."

He repaid Glover's faith with a typically tenacious display in a five-man midfield as they completed an unlikely 1-0 victory, courtesy of Dave Howland's strike.

Griffith added: "It wasn't difficult stepping back into central midfield. It felt like stepping back home and into my natural position, although I'm versatile enough to play at right-back.

"I didn't have any problems at all and I knew I could do the role I was given and it is one I enjoy. I'm happy to play anywhere the gaffer wants me to."

Griffith is hoping to make his 35th league start of the season when the Valiants travel to Chesterfield tomorrow.

The Spireites will be in confident mood after they boosted their play-off hopes with a 3-0 home victory over second-placed Rochdale on Tuesday night. Lee Richardson's men have won five of their last nine outings, and lie two places and four points outside the play-off places.

With nine games remaining, they appear well positioned to secure a play-off spot with two games in hand on seventh-placed Shrewsbury. They possess enviable firepower in strikers Jack Lester (19 goals) and Martin Gritton, who have hit 29 goals between them this season.

Gritton arrived from Macclesfield in January and hit the net in the Silkmen's 3-1 FA Cup victory at Vale Park in November.

Former Vale skipper Paul Harsley made one of only seven league starts for Chesterfield in December's reverse fixture.

On that occasion, his side prevailed 1-0, but only after Vale skipper Marc Richards was sent off for violent conduct.

Harsley has not appeared in a Chesterfield shirt since late January, though, and is unlikely to feature tomorrow.

Richardson is likely to welcome back Drew Talbot, on loan from Luton, as the midfielder returns from suspension.

Since arriving at the club in January, Talbot has made a positive contribution, including two goals, and is likely to replace Peter Till at left midfield.

Vale boss Dean Glover could include Dave Brammer in his squad following the midfielder's two-month lay-off with a knee injury.

Brammer came through an hour of action playing for the club's reserve side on Monday night.

Glover said: "Chesterfield are pushing for the play-offs and that is their expectation.

"They've got games in hand, so their fate is in their own hands.

"They've got people in their team who can win games, so the challenge will be as difficult as the Bradford game."

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A tickets boycott will only hurt club

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